Alfill Getranketechnik Gmbh

Heineken Technical Services B.v.

Wolfgang Fiwek

Manfred Mette

Josef Sterba

A method and an apparatus is disclosed for decorating cylindrical and non-cylindrical containers by a continuous process. The containers ( ) are decollated and rotated on a transport path ( ) as well as stopped and secured using a marking ( ) on the container ( ). The containers ( ) are set in rotation at the transfer location ( ) and brought into contact with a pressure head ( &prime;). A contact line is formed between the carrier conveyor ( ) for the decors and the rotating container ( ) which moves with the container ( ) over a predetermined path. The apparatus provides a novel positioning device ( ) for the containers ( ) and to two embodiments of a pressure head ( &prime;).

Method and device for decorating containers

Bottles, cans or other types of containers are filled with accurately metered quantities of a liquid by employing a number of discrete filling units which orbit about a vertical axis and are provided with metering chambers receiving liquid from a main source of supply. The metering chambers are overfilled with liquid, and the excess is collected and returned to the main source. The filling units and certain other parts (such as an annular vessel of the main source) of the apparatus can be of modular design to facilitate storage and transport of modules which are assembled into a container filling apparatus at the filling plant. The method and apparatus can be utilized with advantage for the admission of metered quantities of carbonated and/or pulp-containing beverages into bottles or cans. The capacities of the metering chambers can be varied within a desired range, and each filling unit is provided with a first outlet which serves to admit metered quantities of liquid from the respective metering chamber into successive containers, and with a second outlet which is used to admit liquid from the vessel into the respective metering chamber.

Apparatus for admitting metered quantities of liquid into containers

Freshly filled containers (such as cans for confinement of carbonated beverages which are admitted at an elevated pressure) are overlapped by caps or other suitable closures not later than at the point where they leave the filling unit of a combined filling and capping apparatus. The closures are maintained in alignment with and are pressed against the open tops of filled containers during advancement from the filling unit to the capping or sealing unit. This ensures that the confined liquid cannot be affected by atmospheric air and cannot escape from the respective containers irrespective of the distance of the filling unit from the capping or sealing unit.

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Wohltorf, Germany

Wolfgang Fiwek